Can You Have Overactive Bladder at a Young Age?

What Is Overactive Bladder?

What Is Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by the
uncontrollable need to urinate.

The amount of urine involuntarily released through OAB
varies from a few drops to a full bladder. More women than men experience OAB,
as do more people over age 40, according to the National
Institute on Aging. But the problem can happen to anyone.

Causes can include:

weak bladder muscles

damage to nerves that control urination

blockage from enlarged prostate (in men)

How Do Age and Gender Affect OAB?

How Do Age and Gender Affect OAB?

OAB is more common in women over age 40 because the muscles
controlling urination weaken over time. Factors contributing to weakened
muscles include the physical pressure of pregnancy and childbirth.

Some people have a genetic predisposition to OAB (yes,
urinary incontinence sometimes “runs” in families). Men who develop OAB should
have a prostate exam to determine whether or not the urinary tract is restricted.

What Is Not OAB?

What Is Not OAB?

It’s important to rule out other conditions that could be
mistaken for OAB by visiting a doctor. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)—including
infections of the kidneys and bladder—and pressure from an enlarged prostate can
cause frequent urination. Both of these conditions require treatment.

What’s a Normal Amount of Bathroom Visits?

What’s a Normal Amount of Bathroom Visits?

There is no “normal” number of bathroom visits per day. That
makes it difficult to know how many trips to the bathroom might indicate OAB. A
very general guideline is that fewer than 10 bathroom visits a day suggest
normal bladder function. It’s important to acknowledge if you’re urinating more
often than usual, or if you feel an uncontrollable need to urinate.

Should I Limit My Fluid Intake?

Should I Limit My Fluid Intake?

It is important to drink plenty of fluids daily. You can
decide the right amount for you, but 64 ounces a day of non-alcoholic,
caffeine-free fluids can be your guide. Too much liquid will increase your
bathroom visits whether or not you have OAB.

What Types of Drinks Should I Avoid?

What Types of Drinks Should I Avoid?

There may be a relationship between what you’re drinking and
your OAB. Many people find that drinking alcohol irritates the bladder and
increases urination. Heavy alcohol consumption also could contribute to loss of
control of bladder muscles.

Caffeine increases the frequency of urination and can
therefore worsen OAB. Limit your alcohol and caffeine consumption if you have
OAB.

Does Sex Cause OAB?

Does Sex Cause OAB?

A healthy sex life doesn’t cause OAB. In fact, for women, a
healthy sex life could actually help OAB. Vaginal contractions during
intercourse and orgasm are a workout for the muscles of the pelvic floor, also
known as Kegel muscles. Strong Kegel muscles can help women with OAB control
urination by strengthening their pelvic floor.

Does OAB Cause Depression?

Does OAB Cause Depression?

Getting up more than twice a night is common for people with
OAB. That means that people who experience OAB often don’t get enough sleep,
which in turn can lead to depression.

People with OAB often feel embarrassed by their condition. Feelings
of shame isolating oneself to hide one’s condition can contribute to feelings
of depression and loneliness.

What Can I Do to Manage My OAB?

What Can I Do to Manage My OAB?

Your doctor can prescribe medicines to help control your
bladder muscles. There are also surgeries for OAB in which tissue is connected
from one side of the abdomen to the other to support the bladder.

You can manage and maybe control your OAB with some
lifestyle strategies. For example:

Strengthen pelvic muscles with exercise.

Keep a diary of how often you visit the
bathroom. This can help you determine which factors help or hurt your OAB.

Reduce consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated
beverages.

Put yourself on bathroom schedule. Visit the
bathroom hourly, or more often, without fail. This keeps your bladder from
being too full.

You and OAB

You and OAB

Even though OAB can be hard to discuss, it’s important to
talk about with your doctor. You might find you have an underlying condition
that can be treated, and you’ll learn about medical treatment options, such as medications
and surgery. Don’t let OAB prevent you from enjoying your life.

Genetic influences are important for most but not all lower
urinary tract symptoms: a population-based survey in a cohort of adult Swedish
twins. (2011, Jun). European
Urology, 59(6):1032-1038.
Retrieved December 19, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21420232

Healthline’s mission is to make the people of the world healthier through the power of information. We do this by creating quality health information that is authoritative, approachable, and actionable.

Join more than 30 million monthly visitors like you and let Healthline be your guide to better health.